Boom Clap: The Dodgers Are Perfect Picture Blue

“Boom Clap The sound of my heart The beat goes on and on and on and on and”– Charli XCX

The champagne bottles are on ice, the clubhouse is carefully wrapped in plastic, and the best pitcher on Earth is readying for his final regular season start. After a heated 4-2 win over the rival San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night, the Dodgers are ready to clinch their second consecutive N.L. West division title at home at the Magic Castle. Even though it has taken them a bit longer to lock things up this year, the Dodgers have had a hold on first place for most of the season. Tuesday’s epic win against angry glove throwing Madison Bumgarner was just the kind of victory which could give the Dodgers the momentum they need to transition right into October

Clayton Kershaw (20-3) vs. Tim Hudson (9-12, 3.52)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Puig CF

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp RF

Ramirez SS

Crawford LF

Uribe 3B

Ellis C

Kershaw P

The altercation between Bumgarner and Yasiel Puig  was a bit scary after the big left-hander started yelling at Puig while he was down in the batter’s box after getting plunked in the feet with a pitch. Even though hate for Puig amongst non-Dodger fans was prevalent over the Internet last night, it was Bumgarner who yelled at Puig during their first altercation earlier this year as well as last night. Puig was just reacting to not only the pitch which took him down but also to Bumgarner’s “let’s throw down” gestures and expletives. Bat flips are essentially silent and harmless, but MadBum rants can spur both benches to clear and nearly cause a brawl.

The Dodgers took the higher road last night and beat the Giants down on the field instead of with their fists. Even though Bumgarner

Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher of my generation. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

made it a close one-run game with his two-run homerun in the third inning, Zack Greinke and the Dodgers held on to win thanks to big homeruns from Matt Kemp and Justin Turner.

Justin Turner continues to be a key component in the Dodgers’ success this season, and the fiery red head’s hair was flowing as he rounded the bases twice after he smashed two homeruns against Bumgarner. The crowd was electric at Dodger Stadium, and I’m sure Wednesday’s battle will be even more thrilling as the Dodgers look to celebrate a division title in front of a deflated San Francisco team. Watching Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp drench themselves with bubbly and celebrate with the fans while Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, and a sad Panda watch from the visitor’s dugout couldn’t get any sweeter.

Clayton Kershaw will be making his final regular season start before tuning up for the playoffs. He’ll be vying for his 21st win on the season in just 27 starts. With a win on Wednesday night, Kershaw will be no doubt clinching his own prize- his third Cy Young Award. I can also certainly make a case for Kershaw to also win the N.L. M.V.P. award after the ace southpaw battled back from injury to have such a remarkable season which began in Sydney way back in March. Even though Kershaw has pitched about 45 less innings than last season, he only has 4 less strikeouts than his total from last year. His ERA is a MLB-leading 1.80, and he has pitched a career-high 6 complete games.

Kershaw has won 6 games in  row, and he is 4-0 in September. Last time out against the Cubs, Kersh pitched 5 innings while allowing 3 runs on 7 hits. While he wasn’t the sharpest, his fierce competiveness still gave him the drive to give the Dodgers a solid basis for the win. Kershaw has always had much success against the rival Giants over the course of his career. He is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA against the Giants in 3 starts this season, and he is 13-5 with a 1.44 ERA against them over his career in 25 games.

Kershaw has only lost one game at home this season.

Tim Hudson will be going to the mound in series finale for the Giants. The 39-year old veteran will be making his 31st start of the season. After going 7-6 with a 2.87 in the first half and garnering an All-Star nod, Hudson has slipped to 2-6 with a 4.71 ERA in the second half. He is 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA against the Dodgers this year in 2 starts. Overall, he is 6-5 with a 3.98 ERA against the Dodgers in 16 career starts against them. At Dodger Stadium, he is 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 9 starts. Adrian Gonzalez has hammered Hudson. The first base man is hitting .417 against him with 10 hits including 2 homeruns in 24 at-bats.

Prediction: Clayton Kershaw strikes out 10 San Francisco batters en route to his 21st win.

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Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter will be forever be bookmarked in the Dodger Blue history book, but a division clinching win against the Dodgers’ pumpkin-colored rivals would be the cherry on top of the ace’s magnificent season. On Monday, Clayton Kershaw was honored with his second Roy Campanella Award. Kershaw’s strong leadership has led this club to its second consecutive playoff berth. Kershaw has exemplified what it means to be a Dodger on and off the field. After last year’s NLCS Game 6 nightmare, Kershaw seems to have even more fire in his belly (if that is even possible). While the Giants would love nothing more than to spoil the Dodgers’ celebration, they will be hard pressed to beat Kershaw tonight.

Join us for our postgame celebration should the Dodgers clinch. No one can burst my bubble right now, not even the Giants.

Go Blue!